Farha Means Joy

Fun Fact:  I went to a Farha Family Reunion months before Aaron and I were even dating.   In his casual and adorable way, he grinned and asked if I’d like to come with him. So, my first weekend away from home at Wichita State University found me meeting every single member of the N.S. & Rose Farha family.   We ate THE MOST DELICIOUS FEAST.  I don’t need to even talk about all the Lebanese food, but I will give a shoutout to Aunt Cathy’s pretzel cola salad.  And we listened to the best STORIES.  The Big Fish stories that have been told through generations and never get old.  We all still laugh at the same places with the same epic storytellers sharing them as if it's the first time.    

I very clearly remember being there volunteering to take pictures of the whole group and thinking… I really like these people.  I wouldn’t mind hanging out with them more.  (I like to give God a good laugh every now and then.)  

24 years later and the Farhas haven’t  changed a bit.  Expanded JUST a little…but the same. 

When your world extends so far, you share a lot together.  The good and the bad.  And God knows we’ve seen enough of both.  If you want to see the best in a Farha, you’ll find them at births, baptisms, school programs, graduations, birthdays, weddings, funerals.  

Legendary in the way they show up.  

Unwavering.   

Welcoming. 

Generous.  

Faithful.  

Wise.

And kind.  

When I married Aaron, I gained brothers and a sister I didn’t even know I was missing but now can’t survive without.  Aunts and Uncles my children feel safe enough to confide in when they need someone besides their parents.  I gained a mother-in-law who can cook in multiple languages and would fight a tiger for her grandchildren.   I gained a father-in-law who would step in to be the everything I needed when I didn’t have a dad on this earth anymore.

I gained nieces and nephews who make my world a much happier place.  Hearing each one say “Jen-Jen” for the first time.  Getting on to them when they sleep over because they are still awake at 3 am and it looks like my kitchen has been raided by raccoons.  Watching them grow up stair-stepped with my children while bringing in new baby cousins into The Club. 

I asked my children what their favorite thing is about being a Farha: “The ability to fall asleep anywhere.  The food.  People asking about my heritage.  The closeness.  Everything.”   

They know they are lucky ducks.

I’m going to be honest.  I didn’t grow up like this.  I didn’t go swimming with my second cousins multiple times a week.  I have 4 people in my life I would have called “Aunt” before 2001.  We didn’t have assigned seats at dinner.  (I’m looking at you, Michael.)  And I’m pretty sure I didn’t have 60 people at my first birthday party.  

I never identified with a movie more than when My Big Fat Greek Wedding hit theaters.  Navigating a giant family community was intimidating and overwhelming before I learned how to show up in the same ways they do.  Before I learned the joy of the world’s largest safety net and support system.  Before I understood that you can do life without a village… but it’s lightyears more joyful with one behind you.  Before I learned the joy of being together and the joy being God’s hands and feet.  

Before I truly learned that Farha means Joy.